hey got the name stealership because in general, they charge rediculous prices for sub par quality work. Most have earned the name.
Actually, your wrong.
The term came about from insecure keyboard and back yard mechanics on forums. There's two diffrent kinds of techs, good and bad. The industry as a whole puts people into a shop without vetting them. This includes dealers. Regardless of where you spend your money, you expect the person working on your vehicle to be an expert. This for the most part is not the case.
People will go to a chain independents (Pep Boy's, Goodyear, Firestone...) and be happy because they spend less dollar per hour to have someone literally guess and throw several parts at a problem. If it is still broken, the customer will be lied to, be made to spend more money and walk away happy they didnt go to the "Stealership".
Have I actually seen this? Yes. many times. Have I seen unscrupulous dealers, yes. Fortunately their being held to the gun where the others, not so much.
I can list countless cases of this. If you want the actual truth, talk to a BAR rep. Three of my close friends work for the BAR in two diffrent counties. The thievery from the non dealers will astound you.
Lets compare.
1. If a dealer has an issue, where do they send the car?
2. If a non dealer has an issue, the car goes to the dealer. But if it goes to the dealer they lose a customer and the sales.
3. Vehicles built from the mid 90's and later are incredibly complicated. The average "I'm good with my hands" person can only guess.
4. Where do non dealer tech's get trained on these systems?
5. Where do non dealer tech's get access to proprietary software and diagnosis a well as specialty tools needed to properly work on modern cars?
6. Most chain independents put a minimum part quota on their techs. You dont upsell enough parts, you can lose you job.
7. many times over the years I've had guys tell me the chain independents shop would compete to see who could sell the most unneeded parts.
On the other hand, just because you work at a dealer dosn't mean you should.
I've worked with or known over a hundred techs. I could show you master techs who should not be allowed to own tools. In my opinion, every single person who touch's a car should at least go to a trade school first. Unfortunately only 1/100 might. Even if they go, they may not have the aptitude for it.
How do I know this? I went to school for automotive, worked in two diffrent dealers on 5 diffrent car lines. After almost 30 years, finished my degree and started teaching automotive tech. I have not only trained over 1000 students but have trained instructors for 4 manufactures and am currently a trainer for a major manufacture. I also do consulting work for a few people.
So Yes, I actually do know what I'm saying
I can tell you this, just because someone works on cars does not qualify them as a tech. It dosent matter where they work. The odds of someone getting a poor tech at a dealer is way less then a non dealer.
When it comes to competency, I see about 1 in 10 students will be good. With the new generation that ratio is getting lower. Then again, I hold people to a very high standard.
When it comes to a shop vetting and training their guys, its literally Euro and most Japanese manufactures hold their people to a very high standard. American manufactures for the most part do not.
I purposely did not include non independent shops. These mostly are good. The only down side is their access to the tools and diagnosis equipment for newer cars.
My advice about this whole mess is in this hobby you need to learn the basics. That way you can hopefully tell if the shop is taking advantage.
Sorry for the thread derail. This is an issue I am not only passionate about but have been spending years trying to help cure.
